Depleted Boston suffered their second defeat of the season on a ground where they traditionally find the going tough.

A lively start to the game saw Ross Nicholls fire wide from distance for Blackstones and Ian Flavell race out of goal to smother from Boston wide man Danny Cairns.

Dan Cotton was just too high with a free kick but he set up the decisive goal after 24 minutes crossing from the right for Liam Harrold to fire home.

Graeme Epps put a cross shot narrowly wide but a Trevor Smith miskick gifted Cairns a great chance - but he blazed high and wide with just Flavell to beat.

Flavell made the save of the match to fingertip a James Brader header round the post.

Both sides struggled to put their game together in the second half. Shaun Baker shot over from a Laszlo Lovas free kick for Boston while at the other end Epps missed a good chance from a Cotton cross.

Liam Parker came forward to test Flavell after taking a return pass from Lee Orrey but against the run of play Stones almost doubled their lead as a counter attack saw Phil Stebbing thwarted first by Poachers keeper Bart Griemink and then the woodwork.